About CDWPA

Why Join the CDW Professional Association?

When we set about forming this organization (CDWPA), we did so at the request of several professional members who were concerned about maintaining consistency and continuity in the teaching/judging of Cowboy Dressage. This organization is set up to support and further educate our dedicated Cowboy Dressage professionals, and to protect them from others who are indiscriminate in using the name of Cowboy Dressage to further their own businesses. By uniting as a group, we can set and maintain standards for educating, negotiate lower fees on things such as insurance, etc., and offer educational opportunities geared toward our professionals who then can pass on the education to their local audience.

We strive to make the Cowboy Dressage Professionals one of the most well-educated and well-supported groups of Professionals in the Equine industry.

CDWPA Goals and Purpose

The CDWPA (Cowboy Dressage® World Professional Association) has been formed to provide further education, guidance, and support to Cowboy Dressage® professionals. Through education, Cowboy Dressage® World Partners hope to build a community of professionals who can provide consistency throughout their educational methods who support the concepts of “Soft Feel”, “Keeping the Try”, and “The Cowboy Dressage® Handshake”. “Recommended” CDWPA Members understand that the philosophies and concepts presented in Cowboy Dressage® can only be maintained for future generations by building a community of “like-minded” individuals who are willing to stay true to the vision and mission of Cowboy Dressage®.

CDWPA Members will be encouraged to both Intern and Mentor as part of this program. Members will also be expected to volunteer their time for furthering the education of the Cowboy Dressage® community. It is our goal to achieve a unique group of professional’s unlike any in the equine industry, professionals who are dedicated, community-minded, and always trying to better the general understanding of Cowboy Dressage®: Soft Feel, Partnership, and Harmony between horse and rider, while maintaining the qualities of the Cowboy Dressage® “Handshake”.

CDWPA BULLETIN BOARD

Definitions for CDW Professionals

Learner Judge – Learner Judges have committed to the educational process of fulfilling the requirements for Recommended Cowboy Dressage Judge status. Learner Judges have completed the minimum requirements of 16 scribing hours and 8 sitting hours with a Recommended Cowboy Dressage Judge. They are allowed to judge schooling shows. Their scores do not count for CDWPA requirements or Cowboy Dressage World year end awards.

Recommended Judge – A Cowboy Dressage Recommended Judge has successfully fulfilled the criteria set forth by Cowboy Dressage World for becoming recognized as a Recommended Judge. Recommended Gatherings must be judged by a Recommended Judge.

Ambassador – Ambassadors are not teaching professionals. They are dedicated volunteers who are committed to the mission of Cowboy Dressage. Ambassadors are a great community resource and are knowledgeable on Cowboy Dressage fundamentals.

Learner Clinician – Learner Clinicians have committed to the educational process of fulfilling the requirements of Recommended Clinician status. Learner Clinicians have one year to accomplish Clinician Status. Learner clinicians are teaching professionals.

Level 1 Clinician – Cowboy Dressage World, Level 1 Clinicians have accomplished the first level of requirements on the Recommended Clinician status path. They have spent the required amount of hours volunteering, interning, riding/auditing with upper level clinicians. They have also met the riding/coaching requirement for WJ3 or WJ4.

Level 2 Clinician – Cowboy Dressage World, Level 2 Clinicians have accomplished the second level of requirements on the Recommended Clinician Status path. They have fulfilled the mentoring, interning, riding/auditing requirements and have met the riding/coaching requirement of WJL2 or higher.

Level 3 Clinician – Cowboy Dressage World, Level 3 Clinicians have accomplished the highest level of requirements for Cowboy Dressage World clinician status. They are committed to Cowboy Dressage and have met the rigorous goals of extensive volunteering, mentoring, interning and riding/auditing for Level 3 Clinician status. They have also met the riding or coaching requirements for WJL 5 or above.

Click on HOW TO JOIN for more information on the specifics of each of these levels.